Famous people who battled AIDS

Julie Domel, Julie Ruff and Cinde Ramirez

HIV is one of the world's leading infectious killers, claiming more than 25 million lives over the last 30 years.

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On April 23, 1984, the Department of Health and Human Services held a press conference to announce that the probable cause of a rare pneumonia that had sickened five Los Angeles gay men had been found — a virus that was eventually called the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

Here is a look at some famous names who died of AIDS.

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On April 23, 1984, the Department of Health and Human Services held a press conference to announce that the probable cause of a rare pneumonia that had sickened five Los Angeles gay men had been found — a virus that was eventually called the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.